May 28, 2007

Today's good question comes from Ketan. He asked how he can hide the camera icons that are automatically displayed when he creates cameras/views in AutoCAD 2007 (and 2008).

When you create named views using the CAMERA or VIEW commands in AutoCAD 2007 and 2008, AutoCAD automatically places a camera icon to represent the viewpoint location of each named view. If you have a lot of named views, your drawing can seem cluttered with camera icons.

You can toggle off the camera icons using the CAMERADISPLAY system variable. It is also accessible from a button on the Navigation panel of the Dashboard.

May 24, 2007

If you are interested in learning about the 3D modeling tools in AutoCAD 2007 and 2008, you can view the Transitioning to 3D with Ease in AutoCAD® 2007 course that I taught at Autodesk University 2006. You'll have to register with AU Online and then log in using your name and password. After you log in, you'll see a link to "View the Screencast" on the right side of the page.

If you are creating 3D objects in an older version of AutoCAD, it's well worth you time to check out this newer functionality!

May 23, 2007

If you are interested in learning about the AutoCAD Sheet Set Manager (and who isn't?!), you can view the Sheets Happen course that I taught at Autodesk University 2006. You'll have to register with AUOnline and then log in using your name and password. After you log in, you'll see a link to "View the Screencast" on the right side of the page.

Between the screencast and the document, there is no reason NOT to implement sheet sets! Afterall, whether you like it or not, sheets happen!

May 22, 2007

If you are in the Denver area, come join us this week for the PAUG (Professional AutoCAD User Group) meeting and the Denver CAD Camp, hosted by CAD-1!

Matt Murphy, Robert Green and I are presenting at the PAUG meeting on Wednesday, May 23rd. Learn about AUGI (Autodesk User Group International), CAD Management, and new functionality in AutoCAD 2008! Also, Nate Bartley from Autodesk will be on hand to answer questions about getting involved in the Autodesk beta programs!

Join us for a full day of learning on Thursday, May 24th, at the Denver CAD Camp. National and local instructors will deliver courses on a wide range of applications including AutoCAD, Architectural Desktop, Civil 3D, Land Desktop, Building Systems, Revit, Inventor, Vault, and even the new Autodesk Impression software. Additional topics include CAD management and tips for passing the Autodesk product user exams. And, don't forget the Munch and Learn, where I'll present some of the most powerful new functionality in AutoCAD 2008 during special lunchtime session!

Hope to see you at both of these valuable Denver-area events!

Ohhhhh... and did I mention we're giving away a free NFR copy of AutoCAD 2008 at each of these events?

May 09, 2007

The process for scaling annotations in AutoCAD 2008 is quite different than in the past. You’ll have to adjust your thinking a little… not because it’s harder, but because it is so much more logical! We’re not used to that when it comes to annotations and scaling!

In order to use annotation scaling in AutoCAD 2008 you simply apply two (very logical) properties to your annotative objects:

The scale at which you want to represent your model (i.e. 1:50, 1/8”=1’, etc.)

The height/size you want your annotations (i.e. 3mm, 3/32”, etc)

This is the same type of information that you needed previously. However, in the past you couldn’t apply this information directly. You had to use it to calculate properties that AutoCAD could understand. For example, if you wanted to scale your model at 1/8”=1’ and you wanted your Modelspace text and dimensions to be 3/32” tall, you had to apply a text height of 9” (12x8x3/32) and a dimension scale factor of 96 (8x12).

The annotation scaling process in AutoCAD 2008 is MUCH simpler! Just set your annotation scale and then create your annotations at logical sizes. AutoCAD does all the necessary Modelspace conversions for you! The following image shows the Properties window with a Text object selected. Notice that the traditional Text Height property has been renamed to Model Text Height for annotative text objects and a new Paper Text Height property has been added. By specifying the Annotative Scale (1/8”=1’) and the Paper Text Height (3/32”), AutoCAD automatically determined a Model text height of 9”.

So, how do you set the annotation scale? Using the new Annotation Scale control on the status bar! The Annotation Scale control is displayed when Model space is active; either on the Model tab or within a Modelspace viewport on a layout.

Status bar when the Model tab is selected:

Status bar when a layout viewport is selected or active:

Selecting the Annotation Scale control displays the scale list. This is the same list of scales that you can view and edit using the SCALELISTEDIT command. When creating new annotations or applying the Annotative property to existing annotations, first set the Annotation Scale to the value at which you want your annotations to be represented (you can also set it using the CANNOSCALE system variable). By doing so, you are (without realizing it) telling AutoCAD to calculate the scale factor. For example, setting the Annotation Scale to 1/8”=1’ is secretly telling AutoCAD that the scale factor is 96 (8x12).

Then, when you create or modify text and dimension objects by applying a logical Paper Text Height, AutoCAD is secretly multiplying the Paper Text Height by the scale factor to create the Model Text Height. For example, 3/32”x96=9”. Isn’t that exactly what you have been doing manually??? There is nothing tricky going on here! The new Annotation Scaling functionality in AutoCAD 2008 is simply removing the intermediate steps so that you can think more logically and work more efficiently!

The main steps to remember at this point are:

Set your Annotation Scale to a reasonable value when you create a new annotative object or when you enable the Annotative property of an existing object.